Suffering For Another

Have you ever?  Have you suffered for a friend or a family member?  Those who are dealing with cancer, who are struggling with addiction, those who are depressed, or dealing with job loss are people who sometimes suffer in silence.  Many of us who are blessed in our life with being healthy and happy, don’t know the pain so many others go through every day.

But when a friend or a family member suffer with illness or other malady, we suffer too.  Clearly, our suffering is not and may not compare with the suffering of others, but the pain in our heart is of a different suffering.

Heartache

I have a friend who is suffering with cancer.  However, he is dealing with it a whole lot better than I.  His form of cancer can be and may be treatable; but, just knowing that I and his many friends could lose him and knowing what he will likely have to endure, is hard on my heart.

As Jesus suffered for all of us in a much different way, it is ultimately Jesus’ love for us which allowed us to have the opportunity for eternal life in heaven someday.  It’s hard to wrap one’s brain around that kind of love.

What to do?

So, how do I deal with my different level of suffering?  Clearly, it is not about me.  I pray.  I beg.  I advocate for a miracle.  I would trade my mercies for his in a heartbeat.  Will this, or can this do any good?  I’m counting on it.  Jesus told me how to pray in his sermon on the mount.  If my belief in Jesus is true and sincere, then I have no choice but to rely on Jesus to be there for my friend.

I am not so naïve to know that prayer is but one element of how my friend is healed.  Jesus also gifts the doctors and nurses with the talents needed during the treatment of his cancer.  Their contribution, Jesus’ love of him, and his own positive outlook on his illness is my best hope for my friend’s recovery and long life.

So, as I suffer for my friend, I continue to pray and pray and pray.  I can do little else.  And with my belief in Jesus, and in the power of prayer, I’ll know I will have made my contribution to his recovery and long life on this earth.

Those who read this article, likely do not know my friend, so I ask for your prayers as well.

Jesus, please love my friend.